The Palestine Chronology

Pres. Bush unveils proposal for arms control in Middle East, his first concrete policy initiative dealing with region since end of Gulf war (see JPS 80, doc. D3). Proposal includes call for: U.S., USSR, China, France, Britain to halt certain arms transfers; freeze on acquisition of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons-grade uranium & plutonium; regional acquiescence to global ban on poison gas weapons; commitments to abide by 1972 treaty on biological weapons and 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Proposals do not call for specific treaties but rather encourage self-restraint. Administration confirms that Israel, which has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has objected to provisions on nuclear weapons. Israel reportedly possesses some 100 nuclear warheads. (NYT, WP, LAT 5/30)

Israeli government admits paying $35 million to government of former Pres. Mengistu Haile Mariam's government in Ethiopia for release of Ethiopian Jews flown to Israel 5/24 and 5/25, confirms that two senior officials of deposed government were given temporary asylum in Israel as part of deal. (NYT 5/30)

Following talks with Jordanian For. Min. Tahir al-Masri, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi states that Jordan and Syria have responded positively to PLO proposal for coordinated stand among Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and PLO toward U.S. peace efforts in region. (MEM 5/29)

U.S. Def. Secy. Richard Cheney arrives in Israel for talks on arms sales. Israel has complained recently that U.S. is delaying delivery of $700 million in arms promised to Israel. Cheney states Washington remains committed to assuring Israel's military advantage over Arab states. (LAT 5/30) 

Senate approves bill that urges Bush admin. to propose international tribunal that would prosecute Iraqi war criminals [NYT 4/19].

Sec. Baker arrives in Jerusalem for 3d round of diplomacy; on Israeli radio P.M. Shamir cautions U.S. not to pressure Israel into taking part in peace conference not to its liking [MEM 4/18; NYT, WP, LAT 4/19].

Iraq turns over to UN information its chemical and biological warfare capacity and its nuclear facilities, saying it has complied with demands in 1st stage of UN res. 687 ending Gulf war (cf. 4/19) [WP, LAT 4/19].

Amnesty International study concludes hundreds of Kuwaiti resident suspected of collaborating with Iraq have been arrested and in some cases tortured and executed (cf. 4/19) [WP, LAT, MEM 4/19; FJ 4/22; MET 4/30].

Kuwaiti ambassador to UN in Geneva criticizes report as "based upon a few excesses . .. and ignores the general situation inside Kuwait" [KUNA 4/19 in FBIS 4/19].

For 2d time, Iraqi gov't. extends its amnesty period for returning Kurds [MEM 4/18; INA 4/18 in FBIS 4/19; MET 4/30].

Thousands participate in Gush Emunim sponsored march in West Bank settlement of Karnei Shomron in support of continued settlement; location of march is changed at last minute after IDF refuses to allow group in new settlement of Revava [MEM 4/19].

PLO approves of 4/20 meeting between Sec. Baker and Palestinian leaders from o.t., according to Palestinian media [MEM 4/19].

In 1st broadcast since 26 February, Saddam Hussein appeals for support from Iraqi people, promising to move ahead with democratic reforms as soon as his forces defeat rebels [NYT, WP 3/17; BADS 3/16 in FBIS 3/18; CSM 3/18].

Kuwaitis are reportedly deeply upset with returning gov't.'s efforts to restoressential services, including water and electricity [NYT 3/17].

Kuwaiti military commanders acknowledge soldiers' abuses in campaign of detention and deportation against suspected Iraqi collaborators, but say they are powerless to stop abuses [WP 3/17].

International team of doctors, after visiting Iraq, say that hospitals are desperately short of electricity, medical supplies, and water, and have been forced to turn away patients [NYT 3/17].

In Bermuda, Pres. Bush and P.M. Major outline stiff terms for permanent cease-fire in Gulf war, including supervised destruction of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons and the use of Iraq's oil revenues to pay reparations to Kuwait [WP 3/17].

U.S. officers who debriefed Iraqi POWs say Iraqi units suffered desertion rates from 20 to 50 percent, totaling nearly 100,000 soldiers, before allied ground war began. Officers say most of these deserters simply went home [WP 3/17].

Bush admin. says it has enough support to gain approval of UN Sec. Council resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq; U.S. would like UN to set 1 Jan. as deadline for Iraq to leave Kuwait or face military response (cf. 11/26, 11/27, 11/29) [NYT, WT, WP 11/26; CSM 11/27].

Defense Sec. Dick Cheney says that an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait would not solve Gulf crisis, because it is "only a matter of time" before Saddam acquires ability to threaten world with nuclear and biological weapons [LAT 11/26].

Teen-aged girl runs at Israeli troops in S. Lebanon "security zone," detonates explosive she had strapped to her body, killing herself and wounding 2 soldiers. National Syrian Socialist Party, a Lebanese group, claims responsibility [JDS 11/25 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, MEM 11/26; JPI 12/1; FJ 12/3; MET 12/4].

Man believed to be an Egyptian border policeman crosses into Israel, opens fire on passing vehicles, killing 4 Israelis and injuring more than 24; wounded by security officer, assailant flees back towards border [QUD, RMC, AFP, CDS, JDS 11/25 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, LAT, WT, WIP, CSM, MEM 11/26; JPI 12/1; FJ 12/3; MET 12/4].

As part of several new military appointments, Israel announces that Maj. Gen. Ehud Baraq will become next IDF chief of staff as of 1 April 1991, replacing Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron [IDF 11/25 in FBIS 11/28; JPD 11/30 in FBIS 11/30; MEM 11/26; JPI 12/8; LAT 1/1].